Out of all the offseason moves Memphis made, the Isaiah Stewart deal might be the one that changes the feel of the roster the most. The Grizzlies needed frontcourt help behind Zach Edey, and Stewart gives them exactly that - size, toughness, and a presence that should matter on both ends.
What makes the fit even more intriguing is that Memphis fans already saw the package deal last season, just from the other side. Stewart’s performance against the Grizzlies in November has been making the rounds again, and it’s easy to understand why.
At the time, it was just a tough home loss for Memphis. Less than a year later, that same player is in their uniform.
The Grizzlies fell 114-106 to the Pistons on November 3, 2025, in a game that never really felt clean for them until late. They did manage to spark a comeback push, but Cade Cunningham shut the door in the fourth quarter. Cunningham finished with 33 points and took over when Detroit needed him most.
Stewart was every bit as important to that win. He posted 26 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks, and finished at a +9. It was the kind of stat line that shows up in the box score, but it also hinted at the broader value he can bring Memphis now.
The obvious appeal is rim protection. Stewart gives the Grizzlies another big body who can defend the paint, which matters especially when Edey isn’t on the floor. But that’s only part of the story.
Memphis has clearly been building around rebounding, and Stewart fits that identity. Edey and Cam Boozer may end up leading the way on the glass, but Stewart is the kind of physical rebounder who will go after offensive boards and keep possessions alive. He also brings some scoring punch as a post presence, which should help stabilize the second unit.
There’s also a little more spacing here than people may give him credit for. Stewart has shown he can hit from three in Detroit, and while his career mark of 34.3% isn’t eye-popping, it’s enough to make defenses think twice. He doesn’t have to be a primary creator for Memphis; he just has to be useful as a connective piece.
Defensively, though, that’s where the trade really starts to make sense. Stewart can protect the rim, switch across multiple positions and move well in space. That kind of versatility is exactly what the Grizzlies needed, especially with the challenge of defending when Edey sits and finding another rim protector to pair with Cam Boozer.
Memphis already got a preview of what Stewart can do. Now they’re counting on it to show up for them.